Quirolo steps down as head of Gaels football program

NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- Seemingly gone are the days of the multisport varsity letterman, as student-athletes increasingly focus on a single sport to enhance their chances of playing at the collegiate level. Following a decade at the helm of Iona Preparatory Upper School’s varsity football team and 25 years in the program, coach Vic Quirolo is choosing to step down and focus solely on basketball.

Quirolo began coaching at Iona Prep in 1988 as a varsity assistant. He became the jayvee coach in 1995 and has been the varsity gridiron Gaels coach since 2004.

“For over 25 years, I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach football at different levels at Iona Prep, and I will always treasure this experience,” Quirolo said. “The support of the entire school community and my positive experiences with student-athletes and coaches will remain my fondest memories of coaching here.”

During his varsity tenure, Iona Prep played in four Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL) Class AAA Championship games, winning it all in 2008 with a perfect 12-0 season, the Gaels first since the famed 1967 team that went 8-0. Quirolo’s Gaels defeated St. Anthony’s, 48-35, in the CHSFL championship game that year, ending St. Anthony’s streak of seven consecutive titles. It was Iona Prep’s fourth CHSFL title and first Class AAA Championship. Last season, six of his graduating seniors went on to play football in college.

“Vic has been a class act since I first met him,” Upper School Athletic Director (AD) Bernard Mahoney said. “He continues to be the hardest working coach I’ve ever met, putting our kids in the best possible position to succeed each and every game.”